As Trump squeezes the International Criminal Court, more countries are leaving
Washington’s sanctions campaign has spurred five member-state withdrawals as the court faces a leadership crisis and growing pushback from allies.
- Amid U.S. pressure, five member states have withdrawn from the International Criminal Court in the past year. Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched a sweeping campaign in July to dismantle what he called a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
- Ruling military juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger departed last year, accusing the tribunal of selective justice. The trio called the ICC an "instrument of neocolonial repression in the hands of imperialism" when announcing their exits.
- Chad withdrew after a July 23 phone call in which U.S. officials requested the country reconsider its membership. Venezuela also recently departed, joining five nations exiting amid Washington's hostility and sanctions against ICC staff.
- ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet expressed regret over the departures, stating the court remains the "court of last resort" for prosecuting serious crimes. The tribunal faces a leadership crisis after ousting its own chief prosecutor.
- Ukraine joined the court in 2025, with ambassador Andriy Kostin stating that "accountability for the gravest crimes cannot be optional." The addition signals commitment to international justice despite broader institutional pressures.
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The Trump administration is instructing NATO delegations to ‘immediately take steps to withdraw’ from the International Criminal Court, insiders confirm to the NOS following a publication by Politico. It is the first time the US has targeted countries with sanctions at a political level. Previously, it only concerned individuals, says Geert-Jan Knoops, a lawyer at the Criminal Court. ‘It is therefore a new step.’
US campaign and new exits deepen International Criminal Court crisis
The United States is urging countries to leave the International Criminal Court as Venezuela and Chad announce withdrawals. The moves deepen the court's crisis but do not halt ongoing investigations into past alleged crimes.
Associated Press News
As Trump squeezes the International Criminal Court, more countries are leaving
The United States is increasing pressure on the International Criminal Court, leading to more countries leaving the institution.
The U.S. offensive against the ICC follows the doctrine put forward by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in July when he confirmed the intention to dismantle the court " brick by brick" because it is "an intolerable threat to U.S. sovereignty."
US pushes NATO allies to dismantle ICC, withdraw from founding treaty: report
Washington - The United States launched a diplomatic push pressing its NATO allies to help dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) and withdraw from its founding Rome Statute, Politico reported on Thursday.
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